700 islanders call for stroke and trauma rehab ward to be restored

Saturday 28 August 2021

Over 700 islanders have so far lent their support to a petition campaigning to restore the services of Overdale's Samarès Ward to full capacity when the new hospital is built.

The petition, established by islander Jean Lelliott, is asking "that the new hospital reinstates the full services within it which we previously had in place."

Pictured: The ward's capacity was cut last year.

"The rehabilitation ward has been reduced from 28 beds to just 12 beds and the services offered greatly reduced. This is not in line with the National Clinical Guidelines for stroke rehabilitation. Ensure that the new hospital reinstates the full services within it which we previously had in place," Ms Lelliot said.

She added: "According to the data from the National Clinical Guidelines for stroke rehabilitation, Jersey can expect a minimum of 250 people presenting with stroke symptoms each year, this is without taking into account the patients who have head trauma, prosthetic limbs or any other type of trauma which requires extended care.

"Our HCS management have reduced our bed numbers and the care package given by way of physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, dieticians etc to an unacceptable level."

When the ward was downsized, some patients moved from the ward to other clinical areas dependant on need speciality, such as Sandybrook Nursing home and other community facilities.

The Friends of Our New Hospital campaign group, which is critical of the Jersey Care Model, said in a recent bulletin that they felt the current support being offered was "minimal" compared to what had previously been available in Samares Ward.

"The plan is for the same limited rehabilitation facilities in the new hospital, which will have three small gyms, no dedicated physiotherapy of occupational therapy departments and no hydrotherapy pool, the latter being outsourced into the community. Where is not specified."

CLICK HERE to see the petition.